Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre was packed to the rafters on Sunday night as crowds gathered to pay tribute to the late and great Brendan Healy.

A legend in these parts thanks to his impeccable comic timing, unique stage presence, great musicality and warm and infectious personality, Brendan sadly passed away last year after a long battle with cancer.

But if he was looking down on his old stomping ground on Sunday he’d have been mightily impressed with what some of his closest friends, family and colleagues came up with in his honour.

A Tribute to Brendan Healy was exactly that. It had that great sense of camaraderie akin to that which Brendan and his friends enjoyed on the Sunday for Sammy stage on so many occasions, along with some added poignancy as the likes of Denise Welch , Tim Healy, Brian Johnson and Billy Mitchell shared anecdotes about the laughs they had with dear old Bren.

Proceedings got off to a riproaring start thanks to one of the much loved entertainer’s favourite singers - Lorraine Crosby who brought the house down with Old Time Rock & Roll.

The evening also saw many others in fine voice including Les Watts who paid tribute with a great rendition of That’s Just The Way It Is; Chelsea Halfpenny who gave a stunning performance of a North East fishing standard; Billy, who played a verse and chorus of Lindisfarne classic Meet Me On The Corner via video; Emily Swan who cut a striking figure to round out the first half with Unchain My Heart and Brendan’s son Sam who put all of his heart and soul into a powerful interpretation of Stand By Me.

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Sam shared the stage with his brother Fin who bares an uncanny resemblance to his dad in stature and mannerisms. And like Brendan, he’s also a great comedian, delivering gags in thee same unassuming yet hilarious style his dad was famous for.

Fin Healy (Image: John Millard)

Josh Daniels was another of the night’s highlight with re-workings of George Ezra’s Budapest and Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight which earned him and well deserved rapturous reaction.

It’s testament to how loved Brendan was and still is that so many people turned out for him. The strength of feeling in the capacity comedy moustache wearing audience was echoed by those who reminisced on stage and on screen, with Mark Knopfler and Ant & Dec sending their tribute via video, the latter complete with Brendan-esque fake facial hair.

Tim Healy (Image: John Millard)

Denise embraced Brendan’s love for a limerick with a touching one of her own which made reference to starring in Shadows and Spender together as well as her great pal’s fondness for burnt cheese on toast while Tim recalled a memorable trip to London with his long time friend and the man some people incorrectly thought he was related to.

This was an event which although tragically Brendan wasn’t there for encapsulated his spirit in great fashion.